Chocolate Ganache

Chocolate ganache has got to be the easiest way to make a dessert look beautiful. It creates a perfectly smooth coating with so little effort. The simple, dairy-free, vegan version of ganache has just 2 ingredients. It can be made with one bowl and with one tool using the microwave. This is my favorite kind of recipe – super easy clean-up so I can get to the part when I can eat my gorgeous dessert.

Free-From Dessert Topping

This easy chocolate ganache recipe is gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free, nut-free and egg-free. The recipe is easily made dairy-free with a simple substitution. It makes for a perfect vegan dessert topping.

Which Chocolate to use for Ganache

Just about any form of sweetened solid chocolate will work for ganache. My preference is 60% bittersweet chocolate is best for creating a nice drip effect down the side of a cake. Most semi-sweet chocolate chips are 60%. For a low-sugar chocolate ganache, use Ghirardelli 92% Bittersweet chocolate or Lakanto Chocolate Chips, sweetened with monkfruit.

Chocolate chips are easiest because they don’t require any chopping. Bars and baking chocolate will need to be chopped into chip-sized pieces for easier melting. If you need an allergy-free chocolate, Enjoy Life chocolate chips and chunks are excellent, The have dark and semi-sweet and they are my go-to for baking chocolate.

Extra Glossy Chocolate Ganache

When the ganache is first poured, it creates a gorgeous glossy coating. But as it sets, that glossy finish starts to dull. If you want the gloss to remain, corn syrup will help. I am not a huge fan of using corn syrup in my cooking and baking, but for an extra beautiful presentation, on occasion, I am willing to make an exception.

So, add 2 Tbsps corn syrup to the recipe for glossy ganache. In order to balance the super sweet syrup, I add a couple of pinches of salt. It is also a good idea to use bittersweet chocolate instead of semi-sweet, if you have it, .

Ganache Flavors:

All of these flavors can go in the bowl to be heated with the chocolate and milk/cream.

• For a sweet and salty chocolate topping add 1/4 tsp salt.
• Mint is perfect in combination with chocolate. Add 1 tsp peppermint oil.
• My favorite chocolate partner is orange. The citrusy tang adds such a great balance to chocolate. Add 1 tsp orange extract or oil.
• Add 1 tsp instant coffee granules. This will enhance the bitterness of the chocolate and add a slight mocha flavor.

Some of my recipes that are screaming for a coating of glossy chocolate ganache are, Gluten-Free Vanilla Cake, Gluten-Free Chocolate Cupcakes, Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Vanilla Cupcakes and my Gluten-Free Coconut Cake. Or, turn this gluten-free banana bread or pumpkin bread into a perfect dessert.